5 Suggestions for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to include additional information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to ensure the end user receives the best information to be had. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Tri-County Appraisal Group, Inc. is constantly testing new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Tri-County Appraisal Group, Inc. knows that time is important to everyone, here are a handful of things you can do to reduce turn times whenever you order an appraisal from Tri-County Appraisal Group, Inc..

Always order your appraisals electronically.: By ordering online, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we received the request.
Complete and accurate subject property information is key.: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are helpful data to pass long with the assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Be sure to let us know about the property's distinct details.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how differing characteristics add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When ordering your report, let us know if there are unique elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them sooner is likely to make your report arrive quicker.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uncomfortable with an outsider looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making lots of notes. Having the thought that it will make the house appraise higher, a few homeowners think they should make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. So they put off the inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- the person they have been working with on their loan -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has multiple pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. They can even call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it's to their benefit to set the appointment promptly!
Our website is a great resource for verifying your report's status.: Why are you still playing phone and fax tag when our website offers up-to-the-minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7? As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.